Events: New Orleans Natural Hair Expo
Before I begin, I wanted to tell you that below is a slideshow/video that I created with all of the photos and videos that Chawana and I collected at the expo. You can also view the photos and videos in this post by continuing below.
When I first heard about this event from my BFF counterpart Chawana, I knew that I had to participate. Just being able to be in the same room with some of the vloggers that inspired my natural hair journey early on was enough to make me purchase my VIP ticket. We did this early on, followed @neworleansnaturalhairexpo on Instagram and awaited this moment for months. We also decided that since this event was during the same time as the awesome Essence Music Festival, we had to partake in the magic that is New Orleans during this time.
It wasn’t hard for me to get my accommodations together because my father’s family resides there. I called my godfather and warned him about my arrival. He set some space aside for me and I was there in the heart of it all for a 3 day weekend.
I only attended one day of the Expo and not the blogger Brunch because I wanted to take some time to visit with my godfather and my cousins. I knew that if I was in the house for the expo, Chawana, our counterparts and I would stay for the entirety and soak up as much as we could from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Well, I must confess, we didn’t arrive in time. As usual, we strolled in a few minutes late but not before we took a few photos before leaving the house.
A few folks wanted to know where I obtained my Lauryn Hill tank. I found an awesome shop on Etsy called NewTribesNewTraditions. When I saw that tank, I knew I had to wear it to the Expo. I purchased my shorts from Simply Fashions and my Jean Vest from Maurices. My wedges were purchased from Target last year. My hair was styled with Wen and Jamaican Black Castor Oil. I used the warm setting on the blow dryer to stretch my hair and picked it at the root. It’s been a month since I’ve used WEN and am happy to tell you I am ready to write a complete review. Look out next week for my review of Wen products after a month and a half of use.
Chawana’s outfit was from Express and her shoes were purchased at Charlotte Russe. She is going to get me for saying this but she had some tight plaits in her hair that took forever to get out. She dried her hair with the cool setting of a blow dryer for stretch. She also used her own, homemade, avocado deep conditioner prior to styling. Check out her previous post about how to make the conditioner for 4B/C hair.
When we arrived, we darted directly to the second floor of the Contemporary Arts Building where the vendors were. I was so delighted to meet so many awesome people so early. I was also excited to make some purchases that I wanted to share with you guys in a few giveaways. Speaking of which, congrats to Jocelyn Rhodes and Shannon Jones. They were quick enough to win some swag that I was able to get from the event.
Chawana and I were VIP and took full advantage of it. LOL. We sat in a few awesome seminars and were able to talk to different naturals about what products and methods that they use. I was in so much awe when I was able to see and meet the World’s Top Natural Hair Model for 2013—Pearl. Below are some photos that we took with Pearl and also a video of an awesome poem that she wrote regarding her embrace toward natural hair.
The highlight of my visit was the discussion between the awesome vloggers/bloggers on the main stage. Instead of talking about it, I will post some of the videos that I was able to capture of the discussions below.
When discussing products, length retention and healthy hair…
and when discussing the divide in the natural hair community when it comes to texture…
And in New Orleans tradition, a brass band shut it down the only way a New Orleans Brass Band would!
I had an awesome time and cannot wait for next year. I am still pretty bummed I missed out on some of my other favorite vloggers. I wish there were two of me to cover the event. All in all I am excited about this venue and if I can, will be in the next expo!
Until Next Time!
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